Level the Pursuit

Today we're joined by Jeremy Herider, former professional baseball player, world-class Crossfit athlete, and now motivational coach and life-changer. Jeremy will share his perspectives on failure, overcoming your own limitations, and finding your true potential. Learn more about Jeremy on the following platforms:- Main Page: www.OptimalSelf.Today - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAkydziqrlYZIFmOgD1kTPA- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OptimalSelf1- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/optimal_self/- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@optimalself

COVID has impacted our nation in so many ways, and recovering from the pandemic will be a long and complex process. Today we speak to intelligence officer and experienced mental health nurse Lt Col Kelly Ihme about how the virus has impacted our national mental health and how we can best support one another to become more resilient on the other side.

Today we chat with Alexis Gerst who has turned the absolute craziness of the transition to remote work into actionable advice for you and your team. She's the author of "Leading Remote Teams: Embrace the Future of Remote Work Culture" and today she shares what she's learned about how to get the most out of your team while still adjusting to the telework environment.www.alexisgerst.com

What does it mean to be cancelled and why should you care? Today we talk about Cancel Culture, why it's not all bad, but what we can do to use our powers for good instead of evil 

Today with chat with Brig Gen Rob Novotny, a command pilot and decorated commander who's dedicated his life to serving the Air Force. After a stellar career, he retired to begin his new consulting firm, skyracerconsulting.com. Brig Gen Novotny shares his thoughts on taking risks, getting the best from your team, and opening the conversations that can take your organization to the next level.

Are you introverted? If you are, chances are your workplace isn't always set up to help you do your best. If you're not, you may wonder what's the big deal. Today we talk about a few practical tips for helping introverts navigate in an extroverted world, and helping leaders of both types get the best from their teams.

Although technology can be impersonal and isolating, experts in virtual reality are pioneering ways to use virtual reality to make us better people. Today, Dr Andy Clayton, a virtual reality expert and leadership instructor explains some of the capabilities of virtual reality, as well as some of its limitations. It's not a matter of if VR or augmented reality will impact your life, but really, when. For additional info on Dr Clayton's work with leadership training and VR, check out https://airman.dodlive.mil/2020/02/24/toxic-leadership/www.levelthepursuit.com

Who is your "us"? We're all part of groups that make us feel special and proud, but most of us also have experiences of being excluded from the group. Today we talk about in-groups and out-groups, why they matter, and how we can start to build a more inclusive society. www.levelthepursuit.com

When we are focused on achieving and moving forward, we can forget to take a moment for ourselves. Today, we speak with author, educator, mom, Air Force officer, and all around badass Dr Stephanie Wilson about forgiving ourselves, being grateful for our successes, and giving ourselves a little grace.

When you have the opportunity to lead and follow and different levels, you gain a ton of perspective on how to treat people and to advocate for your team. Lt Palczer went from firefighter to nurse to achieve his goals, and he's now putting his skills to work to take care of Airmen with dedication and humanity.

We spend a ton of time trying to get ahead, but what happens when we finally take that next big step and get the job we've been after? Today we talk about things to think about and strategies to make your next move up the ladder successful, productive, and meaningful for you and your team.

When we find ourselves in a dark place with no options, it can be very easy to give up. Today we have a great talk with Dee Mahon, the host of "High Vibe Bombshell" podcast and author of "Glamorous." Dee tells us about her darkest times, and how focusing on looking and feeling glamorous helped her to find her authentic self. She now coaches and inspires other women to tap into their inner bombshell.

"There can be only one."Have you ever known someone who thought there was only room for one person at the top and they were determined to stay there? This cutthroat behavior is often the result of overcompensating because of insecurity and fear. Today we talk about why it happens, how it affect the workplace, and what to do if it happens to you.

This is a fantastic interview with Terry Tucker, author of "Sustainable Excellence." Terry is an athlete, former law enforcement officer, survivor of corporate America, and for the last ten years, warrior against cancer. Rather than let this up and down battle break his spirit, he's used his struggles to help and inspire others. He has amazing perspective and insight, and you can learn more about him at www.motivationalcheck.com

Breaking up is hard. But it doesn't have to be traumatic or messy. Whether you want a new job, a new best friend, or a new spouse, today we talk about how to decide if it's time and what to do to exit gracefully. You have to do what's right for you; put yourself in the best situation possible, and learn to walk away with fewer hard feelings and your head held high.

Imposter phenomenon affects up to 70% of American adults and can keep us from enjoying our success. If the feelings persist, they can prevent us from reaching our full potential. Today we talk about recognizing those feelings and discuss strategies for minimizing those emotions to keep us moving forward.

Our upbringing, our experiences, and our assessments of the leaders around us can all influence our definition of success, and the path we choose to pursue it. Today, we talk to Dr Eric Speight, a successful occupational therapist and Air Force officer about his experiences and the choices he made to reach his achievements. Dr Speight shares his insight and his focus areas for becoming a better leader as he serves his country and his community.

How we see ourselves is a reflection of a whole constellation of emotion and perceptions. While it may seem like a personal issue, our body image influences how we interact with others, both in our own self-esteem and attitudes and in the biases we exhibit in assessing the people around us. The pandemic has presented new difficulties in maintaining healthy habits and views of ourselves, so today we talk a little about why this is important and some things we can do to have a healthier perception of ourselves, inside and out.

The people and ideas that we are exposed to day in and day out can influence our emotions, our decision-making, and ultimately how we approach success. Taking the time to cultivate good relationships, removing negative influences, and carefully filtering how we stimulate our brains is an investment in creating positive energy in our lives. Today we talk about the importance of a positive sphere of influence, and ways to improve our circle if changing it completely is not an option.www.levelthepursuit.com

The pandemic has changed a ton about what jobs are available, how we get them, and how we navigate the workforce day to day. Today we discuss some practical tips for moving forward, getting hired, and making sure we're prepared to be successful in a world that's still figuring out what normal looks like.www.levelthepursuit.com

Every day, we're getting better or getting worse. There is no way to stay the same; we are changing along with the world around us. Professional development is the process of growing in every aspect of our lives to be better leaders and better people. Today we discuss the types of development, ways to incorporate them into your life, and why it's important that you do.www.levelthepursuit.com

Mentorship provides an opportunity to create relationships within your field, learn from someone else's experiences, and obtain guidance as you face challenges on your way to the top. While it doesn't have to be structured, a mentoring relationship should be mutual, with clear boundaries and expectations. Today we talk about how to approach a mentor, ways to make the most of the relationship, and how to end it when you're ready to move on.www.levelthepursuit.com

Our moods, behaviors, and emotions affect everything about our personal and professional lives. While injuries and illnesses affect how we feel and how quickly we recover, it's normal to have highs and lows on a given day. When we need help, we should absolutely seek the assistance of a medical professional, but there are also lots of ways we can optimize our energy and outlook. Between the pandemic, our political situation, and tensions in our country, finding ways to be mentally healthy can only help us approach the world in a more tolerant, productive, and professional way.www.levelthepursuit.com#levelthepursuit

A huge part of leadership is caring about others-- your organization, your team, and your subordinates--more than yourself. A great way to exercise these muscles is to find ways to serve your community. Aside from the obvious benefits, community service can also help your personal and professional growth. Today we talk about the benefits, things to think about, and how to get started.www.levelthepursuit.com#levelthepursuit

Whether someone's actually in charge, or just wants to be, there are many times that we find ourselves in a conflict over who has the power. There are some good-- and not as good-- ways to get through this situation. Today we talk about ways to recognize an impending power struggle, techniques to get through it, and pitfalls to avoid. Power differentials are a necessary component of many structures, so finding the best way through can help keep you on the track to success.www.levelthepursuit.com

We all make mistakes, but what do you do when they're big enough or important enough to threaten your goals? How do you evaluate the situation then move forward in a positive way? In today's episode, we discuss what it feels like to undergo a setback, how to deconstruct the circumstances to determine the best course of action, and how to create a path forward in the best way possible.www.levelthepursuit.com

Having a group of smart, engaged contacts who will share their insight is incredibly useful to ensuring your professional development. Peers can give amazing perspective into positions, teams, supervisors, subordinates, and everything in between. This week we discuss how to build and maintain a network, and how to support others so that when you're ready to move forward you have a solid team to keep you on track.www.levelthepursuit.com

Getting the best from our team is more than having a great group of smart people. We have to make sure they are engaged and committed to the collective purpose. A great way to do that is by cultivating connections and a sense of belonging. The more commitment people feel to a group, the more motivated they will be to contribute, and the more satisfaction they feel when we succeed. Today we talk about why this is important and ways to create a sense of belonging in ourselves and the teams we lead.

Life doesn't always frame its lessons in neatly packaged feedback sessions and perfectly curated advice. Lots of interactions in our lives are messy and painful, but can provide amazing opportunities to learn and grow. This week we talk about ways to make the most of those experiences and to find those nuggets of wisdom beneath the negative moments.www.levelthepursuit.com

We show leadership in our relationships with others, but it starts with how we see ourselves and control our thoughts and emotions. Mindfulness is one way to improve how you shape the person you show to the world. It doesn't have to be involved and it doesn't cost money to take some time to center yourself and improve how you interact with the environment. Today we talk about lots of ways you can incorporate mindful moments into your daily life.For resources, go to https://www.levelthepursuit.com

Even when you're starting out, it's great to have a clear, concise understanding of what you believe as a leader. Much of who we are stays pretty constant, so developing a philosophy is useful at any stage of your career. But even if you're not there yet, developing a technique for sharing short, persuasive arguments will help in many situations. This week we talk about how to develop your philosophy and craft an elevator speech, so that regardless of what you want to convey, you'll be effective in getting your point across.

From finding positions to preparing and acing your interview, this week we go over things to think about as you try to land your next job. With a combination of conventional wisdom and less obvious tips for putting your best foot forward, we'll get you ready to crush your next opportunity to get ahead.

Toxic leadership and followership undermine productivity and make the workplace miserable for everyone. While some people are toxic, some are just not likeable, and it's important to know the difference. Once we recognize toxic traits, there are several techniques we can use to help change to culture to a more inclusive, cohesive environment.

Learning to give effective feedback is an important leadership skill, but also helps us interact with those closest to us. Reading our counterparts and giving thought to what we say, and how we say it, can make our message easier to receive. For our own growth, hearing feedback and using it effectively can help us improve every aspect of how we function. Today's episode goes over some tips for improving those interactions in our daily lives.

We all have biases underlying how we think and relate to others. Today we learn to recognize our own ways of thinking, as well as some cognitive shortcuts we may notice in the people around us. Uncovering those biases and addressing them can help us create relationships, communicate effectively, and provide a more inclusive environment for all of us.

How we engage with the people around us is a key component in achieving success. While we can't control how people think and act, there are a few basic principles that can help us navigate better to find common ground. Today's episode goes over common pitfalls and practical ways to improve our communication skills to interact more effectively in daily life.

To reach our full potential, we first have to figure out our purpose and goals in life. Once we have a direction, we have to break each goal into manageable, achievable objectives and then figure out how to navigate any obstacles that stand in our way. Today's episode discusses how to frame your objectives and create a plan to reach your goals. It also observes that many of life's detours give us skills and experience that help us to be successful, even if they don't seem useful at the time. We discuss the practical skills, but also new ways to think about pursuing our goals.

Level the Pursuit is a podcast focused on leadership lessons for individuals starting out in their pursuit of success or their study of leadership. Factors like geography, race, socioeconomic status, and exposure to mentors or sponsors all affect how much leadership training people get. Despite the differences, there are certain universal truths to leadership that everyone can use to improve their interactions with others, ability to capitalize on opportunities, and pursuit of happiness, however that one chooses to define it. From communication skills to dressing for your dream job, Level the Pursuit provides insight, tips, and education to give anyone a boost on the ladder to success.